We've had Maddy evaluated through the Gilbert Public School systems for some speech and developmental delays. Through the ADOS (a series of tests they use and the 1st acronym), our response to the BASC2 (#2), and other observations, Maddy scored in the area of autistic. That didn't necessarily give her the diagnosis of autistic, but it did show that she has some delays that need to be addressed.
Next came the IEP (#3). This is a meeting with parents, the teacher, speech, OT (#4), psychologist and anyone else who needs to be a part of deciding what goals should be set for Maddy while she is in the SPICE (#5) preschool program.
In the meantime, we had set up an appointment with her PCP (#6), Dr. Marias to seek some advice. She told us to follow up with Dr. Karrlson Roth, a developmental child psychologist. So we took Maddy there today for an evaluation. Upon seeing Maddy in the waiting room while the doctor came out to see the receptionist, she pretty much said from what she saw of Maddy in that short time that Maddy is not autistic.
When it was our turn, we all went into the office to talk about Maddy, her development (which she hit all of her milestones on time or early), family history, and Dr. Roth performed another series of tests as well as observing Maddy play. Maddy did just fine. She is not autistic. Instead, she has AD/HD (#7) and presents some PDD-NOS (#8). The PDD-NOS basically means that Maddy does have some delays that could be considered autistic, but Maddy is too social and too "present" to be diagnosed with autism.
So what now . . . Maddy will continue with preschool. She will have the chance to move into the integrated preschool classroom as she develops stronger social and communication skills. Dr. Roth wants to see her again next summer to see how she is doing. We all agreed medication is not an option right now. That will come when she reaches 1st grade (believe me - I had some kids when I taught 1st grade that were on meds or needed to be for AD/HD).
I truly believe in my heart that it was not autism. But when the seed is planted, you start looking for connections and "symptoms" that make it so. I have visited so many websites and recently got an order of 10 books from Barnes and Noble about autism. I hadn't dived into them yet. I was waiting to see Dr. Roth. Many of the materials will give us some great advice, but I am able to read them with a different focus and purpose now.
There are so many desperate attempts by parents to find "cures" for autism. We've already been presented with some pretty corny things to try and do. And I have to admit, if Maddy was moderately to severely autistic, I might try anything, GF/CF (#9) diets, chelation, prozac, hyperbolic chambers, etc. But Maddy is Maddy. Why put her through anything like that? She is who she is and now we can help her be the best person she can be.
Our journey is far from over. There will be yearly IEP meetings, evaluations, speech therapies, SI (#10) therapies, ESY (#11), reading interventions and the like. But it's all good! Heck, her Dad turned out pretty good and he has ADD! He's got his Masters Degree and is a software engineer.
5 comments:
And he(Matt) married a great woman and had two wonderful kids and is a terific husband and father and friend!!!
Amen...Iam exhasted with all the #'s..hehehee.
All kidding aside, that is great news:)
Pictures of the new preschool?? How does she like her first week?
I am enjoying my time off with the girls:)
See you Monday!!!
Fondly, B.
Ok so I didn't scroll down to see the Preschool Pictures...sorry:0
Fun shots of Payton's new room too!
B.
As I am sure you are not surprised- I feel much better about what the doctor has to say. When you all were at my home- there were no red flag warning set off in my head. Although Maddy may show some Autistic characterists, when we really break it down - we all show some of these characterists. Simply put, if you don't have the words to express yourself then a person will find non-verbal ways to get their needs meet.
Maddy is a great kid! She comes from a great mom! Her little bro is cool too. We look forward to you and the kids coming over again. Please feel free to buzz me at anytime.
Now I must thank you and Maddy for the push (or should I say shove) to re-enter the world of living with Autism. Some passions never die I guess.
Ang
I am so glad to hear that the appointment went well, what a small world, Dr. Roth is the same Dr. that did my brothers diagnosis. I am so releaved for you and your family that it wasnt Autism. Now you know what you are up against and you move on and do what is the best for Maddy. She is AWESOME and has an AWESOME family to back her up and help her be the best that she can be.... and I dont doubt that she will do AMAZING things with her life. How could she not with such GREAT examples as parents?
See you Monday, enjoy the rest of your break.
Love,
Jenn
Hi Tracy,
I just read your post with great interest regarding Maddy. You may remember that Mick was diagnosed with Austism last summer, although the doctor says that Mick is barely on the spectrum. It's overwhelming when you first receive a diagnosis of a spectrum disorder, but believe me, it's not the end of the world! I'm sure that with much love and patience (believe me, there are times when you need a pant-load of patience), Maddy will become the person she is meant to be. Feel free to email me if you ever want to chat.
Hugs to you all!
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